ELDERBERRY - SAMBUCUS NIGRA

Full of folk lore and magic the Elderberry produces masses of fragrant creamy white large flat flower heads smother the bush during the height of summer from which the famous and delicious Elderflower Champagne is easily made. If you are lucky enough to be sitting under an Elder tree on Mid Summers Eve it is said you will see the ‘Fairy King’ drive by in his coach and horses, or possibly this is the effect of the Elderflower Champagne. During late summer, early autumn bountiful harvests of the small blue black berries with their inky black juice can be picked from the bush or tree. Many uses of the fruit ranging from wines, to culinary uses and to herbal remedies such as ‘Elderberry Rob’ with its well known anti viral qualities will see off a cold or flu in half the time of modern over the counter remedies.